Politics isn’t pretty—is it?

Two Israeli professors have concluded that members of the U.S. Congress deemed more attractive in scientific studies are more likely to be featured in television coverage than are their more plain colleagues.

Students found U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee’s 7th District the most attractive. A less scientific survey by Politics1.com a few years back also put Blackburn at the top, and likewise ranked former U.S. Rep. Stephanie Herseth (Sandlin) of South Dakota among the “hottest” members of Congress.

Interestingly enough, South Dakota voters threw out Ms. Sandlin in 2010, only to replace her with U.S. Rep. Kristi Noem. Additionally, U.S. Senator John Thune is from South Dakota.